Circular-knitting machine.



W. E. SMITH.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHIA \PPLICATION FILED JULY 6. ms.

1,227,683. Patented May 29, 1917.

suEFTS-SHEET I Munm, 8) I W Ana/MU w. E. SMITH. CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IULY 6| l9l6.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

m g S IM/ENTOH 87 My; ATTORNEY) Patented May 29,1917.

W. E. SMITH.

cmcum KNITTING mcnme.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5; ISIS. Patented May 29, 1911 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3- IMVENITOR Br Arron/1.515

W. EFSMITH.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

a I APPLICATION FILED JULY 6. I9l6. 1,227,683. I Patented May 29,1917.

5 sue: TTTTTTTT 4.

gwm on &md(lk ig?wevhrmnueu W. E. SMITH.

CIRCULAR KNIITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION mzb JULY 6. ms

1,227,683. Patented May 29,1917.

5 aunts-slain s.

if g m I n 1. w W v r MIIUIINHIHEUIIiIIIIHMMIIIIWWI" l" I wil - un/ 00 SMJL nnom'rp UNITED STATES raaEuT OFFICE.

WILLIAM E. SMITH, OF MILLTOWN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO KILBOUBN MANUFAC- TUBING CORPORATION, OF NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION Oil new JERSEY.

CIRCULAR-KNITTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 29, 1917.

Application flied July 6, 1918. Serial No. 107,737.

Too whom it may concern.

Be it known that l, \Vumu n' E. Surrtr, a citizen of the l nited States, residing at Milltown, in the county of Middlescx and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Circular- Knittiug Machines; and I do hereby declare the folloii'i'n'g to be a full. clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it apperta-ins to make and use the same.

My invention consists in the hovel features hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which "show one form in which I have contemplated embodying the invention selected by me for purposes of. illustration. and the said invention is fully disclosed in the following de scription and claims.

Referring to the said drawings:

Figural is a. vertical sectional view of a. portion of a circular knitting machine of the eneral character known in the art as the (ilbourn knittin machine, having my invention embodied tierein, the section be in taken centrally through the knitting cylin er, and the plane of section extending substantially centrally with respect to the separate groups of needles which knit the front andrear portions of the tubular fab ric under the action of separate cams.

Fig. 2 is a similar section taken at right on les. to the plane of section in Fig. 1.

ig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the upper cam tg'linder as it would appear if out and sprea l out into aplane, parts being broken away. V

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the cam on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the cam adjacent to the auxiliary vertically movable knitting cam.

Fig. 6 iso. view similar to Fig. 3 showing the inner face .of the lower cum cylinder as it1 would appear it cut and spread out into a a a e. 1 1g. 6' is a detail view illustrating certain of the needle nibs.

Fig.- 7 is avertical sectional view on line fL-Z oiFig. 6. r

' Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view representing the circular series of needles, and the knitting threads employed in knitting portions of the tubular fabricby circular knit- -of a-segmental portion of the fa .1916, and given Serial #107,736, and" h;

the portion of the length ric.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view represent iug one form of. stocking knit by my im: proved machine.

Fig. '10 is a diagraunnatic view illustrating the circular series of needles, the knit ting threads and the thread guides in per-- spective.

Fig. 11 is a partial diagrammatic view of aslightly modified form of stocking which may be producedby, my improved machine.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing a slight modification of the invention.

Fig. 13 isa viewsimila r to Fig. 3 showing a modified form of cum.

Fig. 13 represents severatforms of needle shanks or 'acks provided with nihs of three ting for the purpose of increasing lines 14-1-.t and 15-15 respectively of Fig. 13.

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing a slight modification in the form of cam.

My invention relates to one form or embodiment of mechanism for carrying outthe process and producing the fabric disclosed in my companion application filed tlulyifith its object the production of a tuhular seain .less fabric knithhy circular work, undcOmprising a plurality of circular courses of stitches knit by a continuous main" knittingthread, courses of stitches knit with a separate thread. each partial course lying. between portions of two adjacent circular courses and preferably having-the ends of the thread =forming each partial course knitted into and a partial course or partial '24th, 1914, and b and the cam-ring,

such a machine, for example, as is illustrated in Letters Patent of the United States #1,O87,95 l granted to E. E. Kilbourn, Wm. E. Smith, and I. W. Kilbourn, February y making certain changes therein adapt it for the purpose of carrying my invention into effect as hereinafter fully explained, but I do not limit myself to the application of my invention to a Kilbourn knitting machine, as it may be applied to or embodied in other forms of knittin machines without departing from the invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 represent vertical sections through the axis of the knitting cylinder of my improved machine which in its general structure corresponds to that of the well known Kilbourn type. 20 represents the needle cylinder provided with the usual needle grooves, and a circular series of needles indicated diagrammatically in Figs.

8 and 12. The group of needles, land 1, lying on one side of the dotted line avw in Fig. 8, are those employed for knitting the front pa it of the leg and the top of the foot of the stocking, and the group of needles, 2, extending on the other side of said dotted line, rc--m, arethose which are employed for knitting the rear portion of the leg of the stocking and sole of the foot during circular work, and for knitting the heel and toe pockate in a well known manner by reciprocating work and narrowing and widening, it being understood that the machine is provided with the usual narrowin and widening means provided in the Kilbourn knitting machine.-

The two groups of needles, 1 1", of the first mentioned group represent a plurality of needles located adjacent to the needles, 2, on each side of the tube which are operated in adifi'erent manner from the needles, 1, as hereinafter described for the purpose of tying-in the ends of the extra thread in knit-,

ting the'inserted partial courses. The knitting cylinder is provided with sinkers, 21, of any usual or ordinary kind, in this instance, operated by a sinker ring, 22, and for actuating the needles, two cam cylinders are provided, to Wit, an upper cam cylinder, 30, for actuating the needles, 2, during circular and also during reciprocating work,

31, for actuating the nee- 'dles,'1 and 1 ,during circular work, said needles remaining stationary during reciprocating work.

It will be understood that in knitting circular work the two cam rings, 3031 are simultaneously rotated so as to operate all of-the needles'of the circular series while in knitting reciprocating work the cam ring, and the cam ring, 30, only is reciprocated, suitable mechanism therefor beingprovided in the Kilbourn knitting machine, which is,

1 ,227,asa

therefore, not herein shown and described.

In carrying out my invention, during each rotation of the cam rings, during circular work, when it is desired to insert partial courses heretofore referred to, I provide means for causing a group of the needles, in this instance, the group of needles,-2, after they have been actuated by their appropriate cam, to make their respective stic'hes forming part of the usual or normal circular course of knitting with the main knitting thread, to form a second stitch with a separate or extra thread during the formation of the circular course of knitting,- and this operation may be repeated during any number of successive circular courses of knitting or at intervals in knitting a plurality of circular courses, as desired.

The upper cam cylinder, 30, which operusual knitting cam, 10, and is also provided with an extra knitting cam indicated at 11 in Fig. 3, which, in this instance, follows the main knitting cam and causes each of the needles, 2, to be actuated a second time in each circular course, after they have been actuated by the usual knitting cam, 10, and restored to raised position. I also prefer to provide means for throwing the cam'into and out of operative position so that it may be dispensed with, when-it is desired to knit ordinary plain circular knitting, that is to say, a succession of circular knit courses. In this instance, I have shown the cam, 11, provided with a vertically movable portion, in a well known way, so that it can be depressed until its upper surface is flush with the upper edge of the cam'groove, or a ledge, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. The auxiliary knitting cam, 11, may be moved into and out of operative position by hand or by mechanism under the control of the pattern wheel in a well known way. In this instance, I have shown the cam, 11, provided with an operating arm or projection, 11, extending outwardly from the cam being held in its adjusted position by frictional engagement with the adjacent portions of the cam ring, although it might be held in position in any other desired man-- ner.

The lower cam cylinder, 31, is provided with the usual knitting cam, indicated at 12, for actuating the needles, 1 and 1, the ordinary riser grade of the cam being, indicated at 13. I prefer to tie in the ends of the extra thread forming each of the partial courses to prevent them from pulling out or to the surface of the fabric after the ends are severed, and for this purpose I prefer to provide for raising a plurality of the me 130 dies, indicated at 1", at each end ;'of the group of needles, 2, into their normal raised positions before they would be raised by the riser grade in order that they may receive and hold the extra thread employed in knitting the partial courses and knit the same along with the main knitting threadin'the next circular course of stitches. purpose, I Lprovidethe needles, 1, with short nibs,-1", while the needles,11,'a're provided with longer'nibs, indicated at 1,see Fig. 2, and Iprovidethe cam ring, 31, with an ex-' tra riser cam, 14,,in advance of the normal riser cam gmde,13, as clearly shown in Figs.

Sand 7,,the riser cam grade, 14, having its face cutaway so that itdoes not project toward the needle cylinder as far as the normalqrisercani grade'13. It will thus be seen that the extrariser grade, 14, will engage the long nihneedles, l, and elevate them into their raised'or'thread receiving position-liefore the short" n'ib needles, 1, are elea rated by the risergrade, 13.

In. connection with 'the cam cylinders, I

provide the main thread guide, indicated at 15, in FZgQ 10, for feeding the main gknitting thread, .3, which is'operatcd in conjunc tion withthe normal knitting lcams, 10 and 12," of the cam cylinders during circular work, and Ialso provide an auxiliary thread guide, indicatcd atlfi in Fig. 10, for feeding therextra thread, 4, inreonjunctionwith the extra, cam, 11, ofthe cam cylinder, 30, for

causing the needles,'2, to form the artial course of stitches with the'th-read, during the formation of a circularcourse of stitches, The thread guide, 16, is movable into and out of operative position, in a well known way, and maybe operated by hand or under control the pattern mechanism.

I have notushown or described thespecific I: fmeehanism 'for throwing the thread, guide,

1'6, int'orand -out of operative position, as such means for actuating the thread guides are well known in theart, and one-.form of suclr meclian-ism is' shown, for/example,

in Letters Patent of 'thef'United States #66257 30, gr'antedtto Edward E. Kilbourn March 12th 1901. For the urposes, of the present-invention such mcc amsm, for' exampleymaybe employedor the thread g||ide, 'l6, may henmnipulated by hand.

ltefelrri'ng now to Figs. 8' and '10, I will descrilmhtheformation ofa circu la'r course of stitches "with thc main knitting thread, and this aimuhancous formation of a partial emu-ac of stitches of, substantiall the sinne gage with the'extra thread,

lnperforming this operation both can: cylinders, 30- 31," are rotated in conj unction l with the main thread guide, 15, carrying the main-knitting thread, 3, and thefauxiliary' thread guide, 16. As the thread guide, 15, delivers the thread, 3, to the needles, 1,

they are actuated by the knitting cam, 12,

For this thread, '3, to the n of the lower cam cylinder, 31, to formthe stitch, and are restored to raised position by the normal riser grade, 13., Assuming that the cam cylindersrevolvecontra clockwise, the thread guide, 15, delivers the main knitting thread to theneedles, 1, which are also actuated by the caim, 12, to form stitches of the circular course, but these needles, having the longer nibs, 1, are quickly raised by the riser grade, 14, and at thls point the extra thread guide, 16, carr ing the thread, 4, which, during the prece ing por-- tion of the revolution, has been in inoperative position inside oi this circle of needles,

is thrown ont so as ti) commence deliver ng the extra thread, 4, to the raised needles,.1. In the meantime, the thread guide, 15, has continued. deliverin the main knitting manner, and are restored to elevated. osition when they receive the thread, 4, mm the extra thread guide, 16, and are immediately actuated by the. extra cam, 11, to

form additional stitches, said additional stitches forming a partial course -which two adwill obviously, intervene between acent circular courses.

As the main thread guide, 15', passes from,

the. last of the need1es,]2, itwill deliver a the main knitting thread to the needles, 1",

on the other side of the needle. cylinder and les, 2, which are operated toform stitches of the circular course by. the main knitting; cam, 10, in the usual pas to the needles, 1', for the next successive circular course; of stitches, the said needles, 1, being qnickly raised to their highest positions so {as to receive the extra thread, 4, from the thread guide, 16, after it has passed the last of the needles, 2,

when the extra thread guide, 16, is moved to inoperative position preferably within the circle of the needles and carries a extra thread, 4, across the, cylinder to the needles, 1, on the opposite side during the .first portion of the next rotation of the cam cylinders, forming the float, 4, see Figs,

8 and 10.

The operation-may be repeated as many times as desired andeach rotation, of the cam cylinders and their guides, as described will form a complete circular course, an

also a partial course, the partial courses being confined to the group of needles, 2, and increasing the length of the segment of the fabric knit thereby beyond that of vthe segment knit on the needles, 1, 19.. It will be seen that while the extra thread, 4, is

fed to the needles,,1, they do not thereafter draw a stitch 'until the thread guide,

15, has supplied them again with the main knitting thread, 3, when they draw the usual stitch and knit the same with the two threads, 3 and 4, thereby tying in the ends of the extra thread, 4, formin the artial course into the stitches "d the next 130 adjacent circular course, so that when the floats, 4, are cut out, as indicated by the dotted lines 5 in Fig. 8, the ends will not work loose or be pulled to the surface of the fabric. I

When it is desired to knit. ordinary plain circ ilar knitting the thread guide, 16, will be thrown out of operation or the thread, ken, and the extra knitting cam, 11, will be thrown out of operation, as by depressing it, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3, when the machine can be operated to make successive courses of plain knitting with the main knitting thread only.

In Fig. 9, I have illustrated one form of ,stocking which can be produced on my im- .adjacent to the rib top, as indicated at b,

in any desired way. After the leg of the stocking is'knit down to the beginning of the heel, as indicated by the lines, 6, 7 and 8, and the high-spliced portion, -F, of the leg immediately above the heel being rein forced, if desired, in any usual manner, the heel pocket, D, is knit by reciprocating work in the usual or any. desired manner as by holding the cam ring, 31, stationary together with-its associated needles and reciprocating the cam, 30, and throwing successive needlesat each side of the group, 2, out of and into operation to produce the usual narrowings and widenings.

In knitting the foot of the stocking circular knitting is resumed with both cam c linders rotated simultaneously and the tl iread B, being fed to allot the needles,

.as in knitting "the leg. In order to give increased length to the sole portion C, so asto make it longer than the corresponding portion, 0, of the top of the foot, I intro duce a plurality of partial courses knit on the needles, 2, only, between adjacent circular courses by throwing the extra cam, 11,into operative position and feeding the extra thread, 4, by means of the movable thread guide, 16, to the needles, 2, and preferably also to the needles, 1", as hereinbeforedescribed, the thread 4, being floated across the tube from one side to the other, as hereinbcfore described, the floats, i",- produced thereby being cut away after the stocking is finished.

The'toe pocket, E, is then knit by reciproeating work in a manner similar to the heel pocket and subsequently connected to the top portion of the foot by the usual toe oining, 6. At the extreme end of the foot portion, I prefer to knit a few courses of plain circular knitting reinforced in any usual way to formwa toe band, G, to facilitate the formation of the toe joining, but this forms no part of my invention. 1 i

I may knit the circular courses accompanied by partial courses at intervals, singly or'in groups, inorder to rovide the de- Y sired extra length to the so e, or I may introduce a plurality of such combination courses at one point only, or at two or more points, as desired. knit a plurality of successive circular courses adjacent to the heel,*as indicated in Fig. 9, in each of which the needles,'2, are actuated by both cam 10,.and 11, to form two stitches while he needles knit- I ting ,the top of the foot make only one 35 stitch, as indicated at C, or I may form a plurality of such courses, adjacent to the outer end of the foot portion, as indicated at C or I may form these courses at both ends of the foot portion, or in a group between the ends ofthe foot portion, or distribute them at-intervals, as before-stated, and this may be accomplished by throwing the cam, 11, and the thread guide, 16, out of and intooperation according as it'is desired toknit a plain circular course of stitches or a circular course accompanied by the partial course of the needles, 2.

It will be seen that I can introduce these partial courses at any point in circular knitting where they. are desiredand in Fig. 11, for example, I have shown amodified form ofstocking in which these partial courses are introduced in thehigh-spliced portion above the heel for the purpose of increased length to the fabric at that oint. While I prefer to have the auxiliary t read guide, 16, thrown out. of operation by. throwing it to the inside of the cylinderand floating the extra thread,4 across the tube and to cut out the floats after the stocking is completed, it is within the see of my inventionto sever the extra threa 4,. after the completion of each partial course and reintroduce it on the other side of the tube in a well known'way. v

While I have shown the extra knitting cam, 11, as being located in rear of the normal knitting cam, 10, so that the partial course is knit on the needles, 2, after they 120 have formed the stitches for the circular course it is within the scope of my invention to locate the extra knittingcam, 11, inadvance of'the normal cam, 10, so as to knit the extra course on the preceding cir'-' 125 cular course and follow it by the circular course knit on all the needles in the same revolution ot-.the machine, the same being a mere reversal of the .parts shown in the drawings. 130

Forexample, I may 80 g g ios In Some instances, it may be desirable to insert the partial courses jherembefore described through a narrower segment oi the fabric than is shown in Fig. l, for example as in knitting a high spliced portion, which is narrower than the heel, or in knitting a sole portion in which the bottom portion is increased in lengthwithout carrying the .partial courses up around the sides of the ,footto the ordinary lateral sutures.

In such case, the needles knitting the partial courses would constitute only a section of the needles which knit the front half or rear half of the tube, the line of demarkation between which .is indicated by the dotted line w-:v in Fig. 12.

' tion of this series of needles and the additional thread, indicated at 4", will be fed hereinbefore described, preferably not only to the needles, 2, but also to a plurah'tycf tying-in needles, 2", located at opposite sides of the group of needles, .2, the needles-2", constituting' the balance of the needles of this half orseries as clearly indicated in F g. 12.

Under these conditions, I prefer to modify thecam which operatesthe needles, 2, 2 and 2, for circular knitting so as to cause the formation of' the partial courses as hereinbefore described, and preferabl y also to raise the needles, 2", in advance of the nee dles,'2", to receive thcextra thread, 4*, and

hold it until the next course oi circular knit ting with the main knitting thread, so that the ends of the thread, 4-", will be. tied in to the next circular course of stitches.

This result may be. accomplished in many 1 .ways, but I have shown, in this instance, an

arrangement of camssuitablc for use in the well known Kilbourir knitting machine which I will now describe. a

i In carrying out'this modification of the invention, I prefer to provide the needles, 2, with a longer cam engaging nib than those of the needles, 2 and 2", the needles, 2, being provided with a short nib and the neodles, 2, with what I term intermediate length nibs, which are longer than those, oi the needles, 2", and shorter than those of the needles, 2. The cam ring or cylinder, 30*, which is the upper cam cylinder of the Kilbourn knitting machine, is provided with a main knitting cam, 10"," having the usual cam grade, 10", of such reduced thickness that it will engage only the needles, 2 and 2, and raise, them immediately, and I provide a separate riser cam needles, 2", provide later period in the revolution of the cam cylinder. For knitting the intermediate partial course. I- employ an auxiliary cam, 11, similar in all respects to the cam, 11, shown in Fig. 6, except that it is reduced in thickness so that it engages only the long nibs of the needles, 2, which may be of any desired number, and constitute a wider or narrower segment of the tube, as preferred. The cam ring, which operates the needles, 1, to wit, the cam ring, 31, is illustrated in Fig. 16, and is provided with the usual knitting cam, 12, which operates all of the needles, 1, as does the riser cam, 13.

In knitting the fabric, as shown in Fig. 12, it will be understood that the main knitting thread, 3", will be fed to the needles, 1, 2", 2, 2, 2" "and 2", passing around the cylinder in the direction of the arrow, for example, in Fig. 12, to make. an ordinary course of knitting. During the knitting of this course, and after the main thread guide has commenced to deliver the main knitting threadto the needles, 2, the auxiliary thread guide, such for example as tliatindicated at 16 in Fig. 10, will introduce the extra thread, 4*, delivering it first to the first group of tying-in needles, 2, which are elevated by the riser cam grade, 10", afterdrawing their stitch with the thread, 3, be-

fore the needles, 2", adjacent thereto are raised. The extra thread, 4, is then fed to the tying-1n needles, 2", the needles, 2, and

the second group of tying-in needles, 2,

which are likewise raised immediately after drawingtheir stitch with the thread, 3, and before the adjacent needles, 2", when the auxiliary thread guide. will be moved out of operative position and the extra thread will be floated across the cylinder as indicated at 4". These floats will be cut away after the fabric is completed as indicated at ES -"i", and it will be seen that the end portionsof the thread, 4", fed to the tying-in. needles, 2, will be knit together with the main knitting thread, 3, into the stitches of the next circular course. a

While I have shown the extra cams, 1.1 and 11, herein as movable vertically into and out of o 'ierative position, it is within the scope of my invention tofmovc these cams into and out of operative position in any desired way, as for example, by having the said cams movable in a radial direction through the recess in the wall of the cam cylinder or otherwise, into and out. of operative. relation with the nibs of the needles actuated thereby. i

, It is also unnecessary in some cases to ac tuatc the auxiliary thread guide for the pur pose of throwing it into and out of. operation with the. needles, as in practice. it will be found that by locating the auxiliary thread guide rear of the thread guide which de fivers the main knitting thread, the auxiliafy thread guide will pass the needles knitting the front of the leg and top' of the foot while they are drawn down with the stitch forming mechanism for actuating each needle once during circular work to produce plain knitting, and means cooperating therewith for feeding a main knitting thread cir-" cularly to all of said needles to produce sue cessive circular contiguous courses of single thread plain knitting, of means normally out of operative position, and capable of being thrown into operation for a partial course only, for separately feeding an extra thread to a group of consecutive needles, and auxiliary stitch forming mechanism nor mally out of operative position for operating the needles of said group of needles only, a

second time during the formation of a single circular course of stitches with the main thread, to simultaneously form a partial course of plain knit stitches between said circular course and the next adjacent circu lar course.

2. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a circular series of needles,

stitch forming mechanism foi' actuating each needle once during circular work to produce plain knitting, and means cooperating therewith for feeding a main knitting thread circularly to all of said needles to produce successive circular contiguous courses of single thread plain knitting, of means normally out of operative position, and capable of being thrown into operation for a partial course only, for separately feeding an extra thread to a group of consecutive needles, and auxiliary stitch forming mechanism normally out of operative position for operating the needles of said group of needles only, a second time during the formation of a single circular course .of stitches with the main thread, to simultaneously form a partial course of-plain knit stitches between said circular course and the next adjacent circular course, and means for throwing said auxiliary stitch forming mechanism and the said means for feeding the extra thread into and out of operative position.

3. In a circular-knitting machine the combination with a circular series of needles, stitch forming cam mechanism for actuating the same during circularwork and means cooperating therewith for feeding a main knitting thread to all of said needles, auxiliary stitch formingmechanism for imparting a second operation to a group of consecutive needles,'durin'g theformation of a single circular course of stitches with the main knitting threadfand means for feeding a-separate thread to the needles of said group, and to adjacent needles located on opposite sides of said group. i 4

4. In a circular knitting machine the combination with a circular series of needles, stitch forming cam mechanism for actuating the sameduring circular work and means cooperating therewith for feeding a main knitting thread to all of said needles, auxiliary stitch forming mechanism for imparting a second operation to a group of consecutive needles, during the formationof asingle circular course of stitches with the main knitting thread, and means for feeding a separate threa d to the needles of said group, and to adjacent needles located on opposite sides of said group, and means for elevating said adjacent needles in advance of the intervening needles not comprised in said group of needles, to facilitate feeding of said extra thread thereto.

5. In a circular knitting machine the com bination with a circular series of needles, stitch forming mechanism comprising two cams for actuating a group ofsaid needles twice in succession in each revolution of the machine, separate stitch forming cam. mechanism for operating the other needles of the series once in each revolution of the machine, means for feeding a main knitting thread to all of the needles during circular work, associated with said separate cam, and with one of the cams for said group of needles, and auxiliary means for feeding an extra thread to the needles of said group, during a revolution of the machine, associated with theother cam for said group of needles.

6. In a circular knitting machine the combination with a circular series of needles, of a cam cylinder provided with two cams for actuating a group only of successive needles, twice in each revolution ofthe machine, a second cam cylinder provided with a cam for actuating all of the other needles, means for effecting the operation of both cam cylinders during circular work, a main thread guide for deli'verin a main knitting thread to all the needles 0 the series, during circular work, in association with one of the cams of the first cam cylinder, and the cam of the second cam cylinder, and a separate thread guide for delivering a separate thread to the needles of said grou in asso ciation with the other cam of sai first cam cylinder.

twice in each; revolution of the machine,a seco "d cam cylinderprovided with'a cam for actuating all of the other needles, medns for efiectingxthe operation of both cam eylinders during circular work, a main thread.

guide for delivering a main knitting thread to all the needles of the series, duringficirs culaiwwork, in association with, one ofjthe cams of the first cam cylinder, and the foam of the second cam cylinder, and a separate thread guide for, delivering a separate thread to the needles of said group, andfto adjacent needles on both sides of said group, a in association with the other cam of ,.sa1'dfirst cam cylinder, and means on one of said cam cylinders for elevating said adjacent needles in iadvance of the other needles operated thereby to receive the said separate thread.

8. In a gcircular knitting combination with a circular series of needles, of a cam cylinder provlded wvith two cams for actuating a group only of successive needles, twice in each revolution of the machine, a second cam cylinder provided with a cam for actuating all of the other needles, means for efi'ecting the operation of both cam cylinders during circular work, a main thread guide for deliveringn main knittingthread to all the needles ,of the series, during circular work, in association with one of the cams of the first cam cylinder, and the cam of the second cam cylinder, and a separate thread guide for delivering a separate thread to the needles of said group, and to adjacent needles on both sides of said group in association with the other cam of said first cam cylinder, said adjacent needles having longer nibs: than the other needles not comprised in said group and; said second cam cylinder. being provided with a. normalriscr grade to elerate the short nib needles, and with a separate riser grade in advance of the normal riser grade for elevating the long nib needles toy-receive the said separate thread.

9. In a circular knitting machine the combination with a circular series of needles, of acam cylinder provided with two cams for actuating a group only of successive needles, twice in each revolution of the machine, a second cam cylinder provided:

with a cam for actuating all of the other needles, Incans for effecting the operation of both cam cylinders during circular work,

a main thread guide for delivering a main knitting thread to all the needlesof the machine the series, during circular work, in association with one of the cams of the first cam cyl inder, and the cam of the second cam cylinder, and a separate thread ide for delivering a separate thread tot e needles of said group,- in association with the other camof said first cam --cyl;in'der, said last mentioned cam being movable into and out of operative position.

10. In acircular knitting machine thecombination with a cn'cular ,"series \of needles, ofa cam cylinder provided with two cams for actuating a group tinlv offsuccessiveneedles, twice in eaclrrevolution of the machine, a second canr cylinder provided with a cam for actuating allw of the other needles, means for effecting the operation of both cam cylinders durinqcircular work, a main thread guide for de ivering a main knittingrthread to all; the needles of the series, durin circular work, inassocia tion with one of the cams ofthe first cam cylinder, and the cam of-tl1e second cam cylinder, and a separate thread guide for delivering-a separate thread to the needles of said group, in association withthe other cam of said first cam cylinder, said last mentioned cam being movableinto and out of operative position.

11. In a circular knitting machine the combination with a circular series of needles, of a cam, cylinder providedwith two cams for actuating a groupgonlyjofsuccessive needles, twice in eachrevolution of the machine, a second cam cylinder provided with acam for actuating, all of the other needles, means. for "eflectingthe operation of both cam cylinders during circular work, a main thread guide fol-delivering a main knitting thread to all the needles of the series, during circular work, in association with one of the cams of the first cam cylinder, and the cam of the second cam cylinder, and aseparate thread guide for deliverin a separate thread to the needles of saldgroup, in association with the other cam of said first cam cylinder, said separate thread guide being movable into and out of operative, position.

12 In a circular knitting machine the combination with a circular series of needles, of a cam cylinder provided with two cams for actuating a group only of successive' cams of the first cam cylinder, and the cam of the second cam cylinder, and a separate thread guide for delivering a separate thread to the needles of said group, in association with the other cam of said first cam cylinder, said separate thread guide being movable 1 into and out of operative position, and means .for throwin said last mentioned cam into and out 0 operation, whereby circular courses of stitches can be knit, with or without intervening partial courses.

' 13. In a circular knitting machine the combination with a circular series of needles, of separate stitch forming mechanisms, each provided with a main knitting cam for 0perating'a ortion of said needles during cir;

cular WOI(, one of said mechanisms being provided with an auxiliary cam for operat mg a group of consecutive needles a second time in alsingle revolution of the machine, means for operating both of said stitch forming mechanisms during circular work, means for feeding a main knitting thread to allthe needles associated with a cam of each of said stitch forming mechanisms, and aux- 'iliary means for feeding an extra thread vto .cular wor provided with an auxiliary cam for operating a group of consecutive needles a second time'ina single revolution of the machine, 1

, one of said mechanisms eing means for operating both of said stitch forming mechanisms during (\ircular work, means Iiliary means for feeding an extra thread to the needles of said group, and to tying-in needles atveach side of said group, not actuated by said auxiliary cain, in association with said auxiliary cam.

15. In a circular knitting machine the combination with acircular series of needles,

of separate stitch forming mechanisms,.each

provided with a main knitting cam for. operating a portion of said needles during circular work, one of said mechanisms being provided with an auxiliany cam for operating a group of consecutive needles a second time in a single revolution of the machine, means for operating both of said stitch forming mechanisms during circular work, means for feeding a main knitting thread to all the needles associated with a. cam of each of said stitch forming mechanisms, and auxiliary means for feeding an extra thread to the'needles of said group, and to tying-in needles at each side of said group, not actuated by said auxiliary cam, in association with said auxiliary (3,311, and means for elevating the said tying-1n needles, in advance of the adjacent needles on the side thereof remote from said group of needles.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' WILLIAM E. SMITH. 

